Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- 1 The Kaleidoscope of Adolescence: Experiences of the World's Youth at the Beginning of the 21st Century
- 2 Demographic Trends Affecting Youth Around the World
- 3 Adolescence in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Image Constructed from Africa's Triple Inheritance
- 4 Adolescence in India: Street Urchins or Silicon Valley Millionaires?
- 5 Adolescence in China and Japan: Adapting to a Changing Environment
- 6 Youth in Southeast Asia: Living Within the Continuity of Tradition and the Turbulence of Change
- 7 Arab Adolescents Facing the Future: Enduring Ideals and Pressures to Change
- 8 Adolescents in Russia: Surviving the Turmoil and Creating a Brighter Future
- 9 Adolescents in Latin America: Facing the Future with Skepticism
- 10 Adolescents in Western Countries in the 21st Century: Vast Opportunities – for All?
- 11 Adolescence in Global Perspective: An Agenda for Social Policy
- Index
- References
5 - Adolescence in China and Japan: Adapting to a Changing Environment
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- 1 The Kaleidoscope of Adolescence: Experiences of the World's Youth at the Beginning of the 21st Century
- 2 Demographic Trends Affecting Youth Around the World
- 3 Adolescence in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Image Constructed from Africa's Triple Inheritance
- 4 Adolescence in India: Street Urchins or Silicon Valley Millionaires?
- 5 Adolescence in China and Japan: Adapting to a Changing Environment
- 6 Youth in Southeast Asia: Living Within the Continuity of Tradition and the Turbulence of Change
- 7 Arab Adolescents Facing the Future: Enduring Ideals and Pressures to Change
- 8 Adolescents in Russia: Surviving the Turmoil and Creating a Brighter Future
- 9 Adolescents in Latin America: Facing the Future with Skepticism
- 10 Adolescents in Western Countries in the 21st Century: Vast Opportunities – for All?
- 11 Adolescence in Global Perspective: An Agenda for Social Policy
- Index
- References
Summary
There is probably no group about which stereotypes are stronger than those concerning children and youth in Japan and China. Part of this situation can be attributed to the eagerness with which the media have presented the most dramatic examples they can find rather than attempting to provide an objective, rounded picture of the adolescent years in these countries.
The image of Japanese or Chinese teenagers as conforming to and being controlled by society, as being devoted to their studies at the cost of participating in other activities, and as being prone to suicide and psychological problems as a result of their devotion to their studies is obsolete and probably never was an accurate portrayal of these teenagers' lives.
We attempt in this chapter to present research findings that dispel such myths and that are helpful in interpreting the rapid developments taking place in these 2 countries. In particular, we focus on how recent societal and economic changes have affected the lives of youth in China and Japan. To accomplish our goal, we cover a wide array of topics, from adolescents' changing relations with their families to their assumption of a role in the civic life of their country.
Background
We chose to focus our discussion on these 2 countries despite the fact that there is vastly more information available about Japan than there is about China.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The World's YouthAdolescence in Eight Regions of the Globe, pp. 141 - 170Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2002
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